?Chapter 137:


    “Unbelievable,” Eric muttered, exhaling sharply before shaking his head. “You were in a crowded area. Why didn’t you scream? Someone would’ve helped you!”


    It should’ve been the first thing she thought to do, yet she hadn’t.


    How could she be so careless about her own safety?


    Hadley nodded, taking in what he said. “Alright. I’ll keep that in mind next time.”


    Neither of them spoke after that. The conversation faded, leaving the car in silence.


    Eric sat there, his grip tightening slightly on the steering wheel. The urge to ask why she reacted so strongly to being touched weighed on his mind, but for some reason, the words refused toe out. He pulled up near the entrance of West Twelfth Alley and brought the car to a smooth stop.


    Hadley turned to him with a polite smile. “Appreciate the ride.”


    “Don’t mention it,” Eric responded without a second thought.


    She pushed the door open and climbed out, adjusting her backpack as she moved. In the process, something slipped free andnded on the seat.


    “Hadley,” Eric called after her, picking up the item.


    A hamburger.


    “Whoops, my bad,” Hadley hurriedly grabbed it, offering a sheepish grin. “It’s well-packaged. No smell, I swear.”


    What?


    Eric frowned at Hadley. “You actually think I’d care if my car smelled like a hamburger?”


    “Yeah.” Hadley gave a firm nod. Wouldn’t he, though?


    She hadn’t forgotten how, on the first day she returned, she’d made noodles in his kitchen, and Eric had grumbled about the smell for hours.


    Eric hadn’t forgotten either.


    And now, he had no defense.


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    He shot back, but there was more defensiveness in his tone than conviction. “That was totally different! You’re twisting things. Don’t act like Iin about every little thing.”


    “Got it, loud and clear,” Hadley said with a nod.


    “If he says it’s fine, then it’s fine,” Hadley thought to herself. “No clue why he’s making such a big deal out of it again though.”


    She stuffed the hamburger back into her bag, and Eric suddenly felt uneasy. “Wait. Don’t tell me that’s all you’re eating for lunch?”


    Hadley hadn’t eaten yet? At this hour? And all she had was a single hamburger?


    “No,” Hadley said quickly, shaking her head. “I already had lunch. Just wanted a snack.”


    Eric let out a slow breath, slightly relieved, but his gaze fell on her backpack. It was flimsy, the kind one could buy for a few bucks. Her clothes were just as in—an old T-shirt and cargo jeans, nothing special about the fabric or fit.


    “Call it simple if you’re being generous. Call it run-down if you’re being honest,” Eric thought.


    His frown deepened. He’d never really paid attention before, never looked too closely at Hadley.


    Now that he thought about it, she’d been dressing like this ever since she got back from abroad.


    Hadley had told him she was done being a burden, that she wanted to be independent and live on her own terms. And it was clear now—she meant every word.


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